They are sanctuaries from the bustle of Cambridge but there is still no escape from criminals in city parks.

Figures released to the News using freedom of information laws have revealed the crimes committed in our parks including Jesus Green, Midsummer Common, Parker’s Piece and Christ’s Pieces.

Police have issued a warning about staying safe in the city’s green spaces. The main risk to residents using the parks is from thieves although violent crimes, drug offences, arson and criminal damage have also been reported.

So far this year there have been 18 park crimes including 11 thefts, four violent attacks, one drug offence, and two outbreaks of disorder.

In 2016 there were 16 crimes recorded for the whole year including 11 theft-related, two violent attacks, one act of disorder, one mugging and one arson and criminal damage.

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And in 2015 there was a total of 25 crimes recorded in the parks including 14 thefts and handling stolen goods, one physical attack, three acts of arson and criminal damage, one burglary, five drug offences and one sex attack.

That year two Libyan soldiers stationed in the UK who acted like “hunting dogs” were sentenced to 12 years in jail for raping a man in Christ’s Pieces.

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Richard Taylor, a Cambridge resident and campaigner on policing, said: “Many of central Cambridge’s commons and green spaces are busy thoroughfares used by people walking and cycling to get around the city; this means they’re well used all year round and at all times of the day and it’s important to make them places which are safe, and where people feel safe.

“When walking and cycling around the city myself at night I often weigh up the pros and cons of using the traffic free paths across open spaces, where there is sometimes a fear of crime, verses taking my chances alongside motor traffic on the roads.

“While the crimes which cause injuries and harm have most impact on their victims are the most important to tackle, Cambridge also has a big problem with mindless vandalism and graffiti in parks.

“Damage to trees is a particularly inexplicable aggravating form of destructive vandalism which dismays me when I see it. Those who enjoy Cambridge’s open spaces are often understandably frustrated by those who don’t think before lighting a barbecue directly on the grass, leaving a scorch mark which can remain for months.

"While that’s probably just people not thinking through the consequences of their actions the end result is still vandalism - albeit via recklessness rather than destructive intent.

“The News recently reported a volunteer working on Midsummer Common pricked themselves on a needle which had probably been discarded by a drug addict.

"We need to provide support for drug addicts both to help them, and to reduce the risk their behaviour poses to other users of the city’s green spaces.

“There is research suggesting fear of crime is greater in graffiti and neglected areas so I think it is worth reporting vandalism on the city’s green spaces and encouraging our councillors to keep them smart and safe.”

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire police said: “We would advise members of the public to take care of their belongings while out and about, remain vigilant and keep high value items such as mobile phones out of view whenever possible.”